Why Fire Detection Systems are necessary in all buildings?

According to relevant laws in many countries, an automatic fire detection system equipped with optical and sound alarms must be installed in all new buildings.

What is a Fire Detection System?

A fire detection system is a group of devices (optical smoke detectors, temperature detectors, flame detectors, manual call points, beacons) connected to a central panel, that are able to detect a fire in time and warn the residents early using visual and audio signals. A fire detection system can call the emergency service , the owners, or other security staff.

What does the Fire Detection System do?

The devices that make up a Fire Detection System detect the products of combustion at their first stages and provide early notification to people in order to evacuate the building, and at the same time, it has the ability to also activate the fire extinguishing mechanism. A fire detection system prevents the loss of human life and property.

What does a fire detection system include?

A fire detection system consists of:
• The central control panel of the system
• Wiring
• Detectors (heat, smoke, flame or other kind)
• Light repeaters
• Manual Call Point
• Alarm beacons
• Manual system activation indicator
• Backup power source
• Error indication
• Telephone update
• Repeating tables
• Various automations that prevent the spread of fire (e.g. fireproof doors, fire tamper, etc.)

How many detectors should I install and where exactly?

The fire detectors are placed on the roof, covering an area of 25 - 50 sq.m. depending on their type. Smoke detectors are placed in all areas except for bathrooms, boiler rooms and kitchens where rate of rise heat detectors or thermal detectors should be installed. The rate-of-rise and thermal detectors are placed at a height of up to 7 m, the smoke detectors at 10m and beam detectors at 10m up to 25m. Every 7m a thermal of rate of rise or thermal detector must be installed, every 10m a smoke detector and every 14m a beam detector.
In areas and corridors where false ceilings and false floors exist, they can be placed above or below them depending on the building design.

Where are the manual call points placed?

The fire alarm buttons (manual or not), are placed in the corridors, next to the stairwells and at all exits at a height of 1.2m - 1.6m from the ground.

Where are the sirens placed?

The number of sirens and their placement positions are chosen taking into account the fact that the sound of the alarm, in the event of a fire, must be perceived by every person inside the space and, exceptionally, also outside.
Alarm devices that emit sound signals must have such characteristics and be installed in such a way that the signals override the maximum noise level present in the space under normal conditions. There must also be a separate sound signal from other devices located in the same area and notify all people.

Where are fire detection panels placed?

The panel is placed in a safe central place, with easy access and in a position where one of the persons responsible for the fire safety of the building is permanently present. For example, in a hotel the board will be placed at Reception and wherever you require a repeat board.

What is a Conventional Fire Detection System?

In a Conventional Fire Detection System the detectors and call points are connected in detection zones which include up to 20 detectors and infinite call points each. For each zone in the Conventional Fire Detection Panel there are alarm and error indicators, thus we are warned about the area with the fire but not the exact point of the area.
Conventional Fire Detection Systems are usually used in buildings of smaller size and limited cost.

How many zones do the conventional panels have?

Available products come in 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, & 16 zones coded BS-1632, BS-1634, BS-1636, BS-1638, BS-1642, & BS-1646 respectively.

How many detectors can I put in a zone in a conventional fire system?

Up to 20 detectors (smoke, differential, thermal limit) and infinite buttons.

How many sirens can I connect to each zone?

The total consumption of the sirens should be measured and compared to the siren zone output of the panel. If there is a need for more sirens than the output can support then an external Olympia Electronics power supply can be used.

What is the extinguishing panel and how does it work?

The extinguishing table is BS-627. It has 2 detection zones where smoke detectors can be placed, thermal differential and detects with the logic of double detection. Once both zones are detected (cross zone criteria) then an extinguishing output is activated in which we have the 24VDC output for a few seconds sufficient to activate a solenoid valve or a detonator. The panel also has a manual activation button and an extinguishing cancel button.

What is an analog gas detection panel and with how many zones is it available?

The analog gas detection panel comes with 4, 8, 12 & 16 zones coded BS-304, BS-308, BS-312 & BS-316 respectively. In each zone we can connect an analog detector. Each zone has its own relays programmed according to requirements but there are also 4 central relays (3 alarm and 1 fault). The panel also has a constant voltage 24 VDC output which in conjunction with the central relays can be used to activate sirens or stop gas lighting.

Can we have gas detection in a conventional panel?

The conventional panel can manage in its zones LPG, Natural Gas-Methane and Carbon Monoxide detectors coded BS-375/WP/A, BS-376/WP/A & BS-658 respectively. 

Is there a way to make a conventional system work with an addressable one?

Any conventional system or device (eg Beams, extinguishing panel, gas detection panel, conventional explosion-proof type detectors, etc.) can be placed into an addressable fire detection system using the BSR-8120 I/O module. The device addresses the conventional system and transfers fault and alarm conditions to the addressable system.

What is an Addressable Fire Detection System?

In an Addressable Fire Detection System the central panel communicates digitally with each of the detectors and buttons individually. In the event of a fire, the Addressable Fire Detection System panel displays the exact location of the fire (e.g. the address and name of the detector, the area in which it is located). Also, an addressable system will give us information about the amount of smoke in the detector chamber and when it needs maintenance (cleaning the detector).

For example, in office buildings where a central panel controls several offices located on different floors, or in hotels, in case of an immediate alarm, Addressable Fire Detection Systems are used, so that the area from which the signal is emitted is immediately displayed.

How many loops do the addressable arrays come out on?
There are 3 panels with 1, 2, & 4 loops coded BSR-1001, BSR-1002 & BSR-1004 respectively.

What cable should I use in each installation?

In the addressable panel there is also a program that calculates the cable. In general, a bipolar cable should be installed, twisted with shielding to avoid electromagnetic noises. The shielding must be continuous and terminated at the panel ground bars. The cross-sections calculated by the program, the number of devices and the distance of the installation, vary from 0.70 to 2.5 frames. Caution – Never put more than 2 strands in one cable.
In conventional fire detection, we should consult the panel's manual for the cross-section of the cable according to the distance to each zone. The shielding in this case is of no functional interest to us but can be requested by the operator.

How is the wiring done in the conventional and how is it done in the addressable one?

In the conventional in zones with terminal resistance (8.2 KΩ) at the end of each wiring and in the rect. in loops (wiring starts from the panel and returns to it)

How many points can I support in each loop?

Theoretically up to 150 points but it also has to do with the length of the wiring, the cross-section, and the consumption. The table program automatically calculates the permitted points for each installation to be carried out

How do conventional panels connect to a network?

We use the RS-485 interface where we run a BUS cable between the boards we want to be on the network. We can connect up to 16 panels and only the large series of panels (BS-1638, BS-1642, BS-1646).You can do this by going to the techinician menu-> configuration -> network -> activation -> panel serialization -> network search(only on the master). That is, the network will have a master and some slaves. Each panel will be a mirror of the other, conveying the different operating states (error, alarm, calm).

How do I check if a conventional installation is correct?

Before the board opens. Each +- wiring goes through each detector and button according to the installation plan and device manual and then terminates an 8.2 KΩ at the last point. Measure the wiring, make sure that +- doesn’t have a short circuit between them, neither with the ground. Then open the panel. There should be no error and the panel must be ready in a state of rest. Simulate a fault (eg by opening a detector) and checking signaling on the panel. Simulate an alarm (e.g. command to evacuate or push a button) and control siren activation, muting and reset. You can also see the detailed Commissioning & Maintenance Guide of Olympia Electronics.

How do I activate and check if an addressable installation is correct?

Before the board opens. Each +- loop wiring must pass through each detector, call point, siren, I/O modules based on the installation plan and device manual and return to the panel. Measure wiring, +- must not have a short circuit between them, + must have continuity on the new panels and +&- on the old ones, must not have a short circuit to the ground.
Open the panel. Go to technician menu, system, automatic addressing of points in each loop. There should be no error and the panel must be ready in a state of rest. Simulate a fault (eg by opening a detector) and checking signaling on the panel. Simulate an alarm (e.g. command to evacuate or push a button) and control siren activation, muting and reset. You can also see the detailed Commissioning & Maintenance Guide of Olympia Electronics.

How can I connect to a laptop and change the names of the points in the addressable table?

Download the BSR-100X software from the Olympia Electronics website and install the program. Insert the USB cable into the input on the panel. Run the software, communicate with the panel and configure, select on the panel in the technician menu PC communication, press download to the pc and save file. Open the folder with the program, and click on the loop to open the saved points. Double click on each point to configure it and rename it

How important is it for Fire Detection products to be certified by a special entity?

In all European Union countries, fire detection systems are considered critical components for the safety of life and health of people in a building. European legislation is very strict when it comes to the design, production, use and maintenance of fire detection systems. Products certified by a special entity ensure that the fire detection system will work exactly as required by law.
The producer, therefore, must continuously ensure the conformity of the products with the product type, by implementing production control in the factory.
This is why all OLYMPIA ELECTRONICS products comply with European new approach directives and European harmonization standards. As a result of the above, they carry the CE mark, while several of them also carry quality marks from internationally recognized certification bodies (LPCB....).

How easy or difficult is it to install a Fire Alarm system?

Some expertise is required by the technician in order to be able to install a conventional or an addressable Fire Detection System.
This knowledge can be acquired by attending a short seminar at OLYMPIA ELECTRONICS facilities.

How easy and immediate is the Technical Support from the manufacturer?

Technical Support of OLYMPIA ELECTRONICS is immediate, every day from 07:00 to 20:00 at night. The company's technicians are at the customers' side for any information and advice, providing immediate solutions to the problems they may be facing. The contact details for the company's Technical Support department are as follows:

Headquarters
Technical Service of Northern Greece
Antonios Kobatsiaris
Tel.: 2353051200
Email: service@olympia-electronics.gr

Athens Branch
Technical Support of the Province of Greece
Nikos Angelopoulos
Tel.: 2109852193
Email: ath.sup@olympia-electronics.gr

Why should someone choose OLYMPIA ELECTRONICS Fire Detection products?

 

1. Olympia Electronics has been manufacturing safety electronic systems since 1979.
2. More than 10% of total 220 employees of Olympia Electronics work in the Research and Development department.
3. It has a fully vertically integrated production process.
4. It has ISO 9001 and 14001 certificates
5. Its products are manufactured in accordance with European legislation and carry certifications from independent laboratories abroad.
6. Immediate availability of products (Warehouses in Aeginio, Municipality of Pydna-Kolindrou, Prefecture of Pieria and in Athens).
7. Technical Support every day from 07:00 to 20:00 at night
8. It is trusted by 72 foreign countries (70% of the turnover is exports)